|
|
<p>The Clean Air Strategy 2019 sets out our proposals for meeting our legally binding emissions ceilings for five key pollutants – fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>), nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>), sulphur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>), ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) and non-methane volatile organic compounds.</p><p> </p><p>The pollutant with the strongest evidence for impacts on human health is PM<sub>2.5</sub>. Many of the sources of PM<sub>2.5</sub> are also responsible for PM<sub>1</sub> and PM<sub>0.1</sub>, and so our actions to reduce emissions of fine particulate matter will have positive benefits for the emissions of even smaller particles. The other four pollutants also often undergo chemical reactions in the air, becoming PM<sub>1</sub> or PM<sub>0.1</sub> particles. The reductions in the emissions of these pollutants will result in less pollution to undergo these reactions, and therefore fewer PM<sub>1</sub> or PM<sub>0.1</sub> particles formed in the air.</p><p> </p><p>a) While we have not made an assessment of the impact on health of PM<sub>1</sub>, the independent Air Quality Expert Group published a report into PM<sub>0.1</sub> particles (known as ultrafine particulate matter) which is available on Defra’s UK-AIR website.</p><p> </p><p>b) Defra does not report on the health effects of urban air quality specifically, but we do carry out assessments of air quality nationally. The quality of our air is improving nationwide, with lower emissions and lower concentrations, and much of the decrease in emissions has been in urban areas. Our Clean Air Strategy is emission-source focused, and as urban areas are often where there are most sources, these are the areas that will experience the biggest benefits from the Strategy.</p> |